The Summer Session was the second part-time program to be established at The Johns Hopkins University. Introduced in 1911 to meet the needs of teachers who could not conveniently attend part-time classes during the school year, the Summer Session complemented the College Courses for Teachers. In the summer of 1911, thirty-one courses in twelve different subjects were offered from July 5 to August 16, with 335 students enrolled. This initial success led to the continuation and growth of the Summer Session; by 1915 graduate courses had been added to the curriculum for the benefit of 65 advanced students. Both bachelor's and master's degrees were conferred through the program.

Edward F. Buchner, Professor of Philosophy and Education and director of the College Courses for Teachers from 1909 to 1929, was appointed the first director of the Summer Session in 1911. He remained in this position until his sudden death in 1929, after which he was replaced by Robert B. Roulston. Roulston served as director from 1929 to 1942, when Florence E. Bamberger, Director of the College for Teachers, assumed leadership, serving until 1947. Although the Summer Session remained administratively separate from McCoy College, the University maintained the practice of naming the dean of McCoy College (and its successors the Evening College and the School of Continuing Studies) to head the Summer Session. Since 1947, there have been four directors of the Summer Session: Francis H. Horn, 1947-1951, Richard A. Mumma, 1952-1970, Roman J. Verhaalen, 1971-1980, and Stanley C. Gabor, 1983-present.